A brief history of my Grandfather’s life

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My Grandfather, Herbert James George was born on 14th May 1897 in Number 8, East Street, Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, Wiltshire. The second son of James George, a 29-year-old Maltster and 33-year-old Annie Elizabeth George (formerly Saunders).

 

‘Bert’, was baptised on 27th July 1897 at the Salisbury Primitive Methodist Church, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, by Timothy C Rigg.

 

At some point before 1911, the family moved to 13, Hartington Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Where, when he was 14 years old, he was already working as a Grocer’s errand boy.

This important job basically meant he would wait around in the grocer’s shop and do whatever needed doing.

That may have been sweeping the floor, restocking the shelves, wiping the cabinets, or anything else needed.

the start of the war in 1914, Bert, met with Captain JP Wilton at the Army recruitment office in Salisbury on 4th November 1915, where he joined the Motor Transport division of the Army Service Corps. As he was a chauffeur at the time, it seemed to be the best place for him to serve during the war.

 

Bert reported to the ASC (MT) Depot in Marvels Lane, Grove Park, SE London, for his official induction on 6th November 1915

Then on the 16th November 1915, his recruitment was formally approved by Major W Bennett, the Approving Officer, based at the ASC (MT) Depot.

He officially became, Private M2/137583, of the 907th Company of the Army Service Corps (M.T.).

Being only 5’5″ tall and weighing 8st, Bert wasn’t a big man, but he enjoyed working with vehicles and became a ‘Peerless’ lorry driver for most of his time in the Army.

 

 

His brother, Able Seaman Walter Edmund, was already a sailor in the Royal Navy. Walter, unfortunately, died in the largest naval battle, and only, full-scale clash of battleships in WW1.

He was aboard the almost 200 metre long HMS Barham, during the Battle of Jutland on the night of 31st May 1916.

Out of a total of 151 combat ships, 14 were sunk and 6,094 British sailors lost their lives.

Bert’s time in the ASC was much less dangerous and he returned to Hartington Road, once the war was over on 3rd August 1919.

On 30th August 1919 in Emmanuel Church, Paddington, he married his sweetheart, Laura Elizabeth Geeves, who at the time, was living at 61, Portnall Road Paddington, London.

That day, Bert began his married life closer to the Capital.

On 10th July 1923, they had their first child, a daughter. Nora Ellen. Nora worked as a Printing Warehouse hand in 1939.

On 10th April 1925, their second daughter was born. Edna Mabel. Once married, she emigrated to Adelaide, Australia. She remained in Australia until her death.

On 27th February 1928, they had a Son, Peter JW George.

Their third daughter, Patricia Grace was born on 12th July 1930, but unfortunately died at only 7-months old, on 28th February 1931.

James Walter Edmund (Jim), was born on 26th January 1933. Jim lived to be 71 years old and died between October and December 2004 In Hillingdon, Middlesex.

In the summer of 1936, David was born. He lived most of his life in Middlesex, before moving to Bridgwater in Somerset during his later years. He passed away while living at Aspen Court, in Bridgwater.

Bert’s father passed away In Salisbury, Wiltshire aged 70 on 27th April 1937.

Less than two weeks later, on 5th May 1937, their Son Stanley was born.

And the following year, Derek Francis was born on 20th May 1938.

We know that around this time, Bert and his family moved to 7, Townfield Road, Hayes Middlesex.

During the second world war, Hayes and Harlington were repeatedly bombed. I believe mainly due to the fact that Fairey Aviation was based in Hayes. The company had a strong presence in the supply of naval aircraft and also built bombers for the RAF.

This made the town a necessary target for the Luftwaffe.

There are also many reports around this time, that tells of machine-gun attacks above the houses in this area around 1942.

The early 1940s was also a time wracked with diphtheria. In fact, in 1943, the diphtheria outbreaks that accompanied the war resulted in around 1 million cases in Europe and was the cause of around 50,000 deaths.

The family suffered twice in quick succession. Nora died on 18th March 1942 at the young age of 18. Her younger brother, Peter died the following day on 19th March 1942, aged just 14 years.

There are reports from the time, that the caskets were not allowed into the church during the funeral, in case the infection was still viable.

Around June of 1954, Laura, his wife of almost 35 years passed away at the age of 56.

Bert, went on to live until he was 63. Passing away at Hillingdon Hospital, Middlesex on 20th February 1961.

According to his probate record, his total effects amounted to £446 3s 9d.

There’s so much more to trace about the family’s hopes, fears and fantasies. That’s a project for the future though 😉